2026 Resistol Rookie contender Kirby Rawlinson didn’t come into her rookie year with sky-high expectations—but after a good run through the Texas winter rodeos, the 25-year-old’s plans have started to shift. 

Rawlinson won the first round of her bracket at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo and tied for the win in the Wild Card round. From there, she carried that momentum to RodeoHouston, where she advanced to the semifinals against some of the best in the world. 

This year has already brought its share of learning curves—from adjusting to the pace of ProRodeo to dialing in her horsepower and mental game—but Rawlinson has dove in headfirst. In this Q&A, she talks about where it all started, finding confidence on the road, the horses behind it all and her plan heading into the summer. 

Q: Let’s start with the basics – tell me your breakaway roping story.  

A: I’ve rodeoed my whole life. I used to team rope, and I kind of put breakaway on the back burner when I graduated high school. I went to some amateur rodeos, but I was going to a lot of team ropings before I got back into breakaway. 

I got back into it when I noticed the breakaway blew up a little bit. They added a lot more money to the bigger jackpots and amateur rodeos, and I think that was one of the sparks that got me going. 

When I knew I could try to qualify for Houston and Rosenberg, that really lit something in me. My partner, Stephanie Branham, had retired and wanted to get back into it, so we started going to the amateurs and said it was going to be both of our rookie years, and we’d just see where it takes us. 

Q: What has this rookie year been like for you so far? 

A: I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to make it into Houston and all the buildings. It’s been a little rusty, just being a rookie and going from amateur rodeos to these big ones. 

I’ve had a lot of success that I personally did not think I would, just because I didn’t have any confidence at the beginning of this year. But I’ve been working on my middle game, and I’ve gained a lot of confidence just from roping and practicing more than I ever have. 

Q: What’s been the biggest adjustment stepping up to the pro level?  

A: It’s an eye-opener. You’ve got girls that have been there and done it, and you’re trying to figure out what to expect. 

I’ve talked to a lot of them just so I know what I need to expect going into those rodeos. But now that I’ve been in those rodeos and seen it, I know what to expect for the rest of the year and how to adapt. There’s no off day—you’re roping with the big dogs. 

Q: How much of this year has been about your mental game? 

A: A lot of it. I’ve made a lot of rookie mistakes. 

Even last night (in Houston), I drew a really good calf and made a mistake, and that has a lot to do with your mental game and your confidence. I didn’t realize how weak my middle game was until this year. 

But I’ve gained a lot just from roping more, practicing more than I ever have, and riding different horses and colts. It just gives you a different perspective than just going to amateur rodeos and jackpots. 

Q: Tell me about your roan horse, Spud. 

A: I’ve owned him since eighth grade. I actually got him two weeks before I made it to the junior high nationals in the breakaway—my other horse colicked and died. 

I had my brother go try him, and I literally ran 10 calves on him before I got in the truck to go to Des Moines. I just threw him to the wolves, and he’s been old faithful ever since. 

He’s 18 now, and it doesn’t matter if it’s short scores or if I have to run one down—he’s going to give me everything he’s got. 

Q: And the sorrel mare you rode at Houston—what’s her story? 

A: That’s my hauling partner Stephanie (Braman)’s mare, Lucy. She’s about 8, and she can really run. She’s really strong, and I like her on the longer scores because she can really get down there. 

I was a little nervous about what to ride at Houston because I’ve been on my roan all year, but I’ve gained confidence on her. I’ve ridden her at a bunch of jackpots and some rodeos. 

So I feel like I have confidence on both now—on longer scores I’ll ride her, and on shorter scores I’ll ride my roan. 

Q: You’ve built some momentum—how are you feeling about your rookie season right now? 

A: I’m excited. I don’t really get nervous, but I had a stretch where I went to four rodeos in a week and missed all four and broke a couple barriers. 

But with it being my rookie year, I’m very proud of myself. I’ve put in the work, and I’ve learned from my mistakes, so now I know what to expect. 

My goal is to be in the Top 15 this year. It’s tough, but I want to win as much money as I can and get into as many rodeos as they’ll let me enter. 

Q: Take me through San Antonio—what worked for you there? 

A: I went into it thinking you’ve got to go as fast as you can. I treated it like a one-header. 

In the first round, I saw my start and when I thought it would fit, I let it fly, and it worked. Second round, I probably should have taken an extra swing, but I didn’t want to hold back. 

Third round, I really just needed to be a 2.6 to make it back, and I didn’t do that—I still went at it like a one-header. 

In the Wild Card, I just went back to the basics. I replayed that first run in my head and told myself to see my start and let it fly. 

I didn’t win the tiebreaker, but I believe God has a plan. If it’s not my time, it’s not my time. I just learn from that and use it moving forward. 

Q: Houston is a totally different setup—how do you adjust between rodeos like that? 

A: At Houston, I just see my start and be aggressive when I get there. 

At San Antonio and Austin, you’ve got to go for broke. Those are one-header setups. Houston’s more of a catching game. 

I’ve learned that no matter the setup, you’ve got to see your start, be aggressive, and when you get there, rope and see what happens. That’s what a lot of the pro girls do. 

Q: Do you have a preference—short setups or long? 

A: I prefer the shorter setups. I like going fast, and my horse likes going fast. 

But if I have to run one down, I’ll do that too. That’s just old cowboy stuff. But I like going fast—that’s more my style. 

Q: What’s the plan heading into the summer run? 

A: We’re going to go pretty hard. 

We’re trying to get into as many rodeos as we can—Logandale, Corpus, Cheyenne, all of those bigger ones. A lot of them go off last year’s standings, and we weren’t in that, so we’ll see where we can get in. 

If they let us in, we’re going to give them hell. If not, we’ll try again next year. 

Q: What’s been your biggest moment so far this season? 

A: I’ve had two. 

Winning the first round at San Antonio—that was a big highlight of my rookie year. And then making it to the semifinals at Houston, especially as a rookie. 

You don’t see very many rookies get into all the buildings their first year, so I’ve been very blessed and fortunate to have that and have some success. 

Q: What advice would you give to someone thinking about going pro? 

A: If you have the opportunity to go, go. 

You’re only young for so long. It is expensive, but if you have the work ethic, the horsepower and the grit to go, I would tell people to go. 

It’s a different world out here. You’ve got to have everything together—your week planned out, your month planned out—you’ve got to be ready to go. 

But if it’s been your dream, it’s been mine for a long time. I’ve always prayed for the opportunity to go rodeoing, and I got it. The good Lord told me it was time to go, and I’m having a blast.